Burner



W. S. LITTLE BURNER Filed Oct. 17, 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 2 W. S. LITTLEBURNER 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

Filed Oct. 17, 1925 Patented Jan. 20, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER S. LITTLE, O'F PORTLAND, OREGON.

BURNER.

Application filed October 17, 1923. Serial No. 669,009.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W ALTER S. LITTLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Portland. in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon,have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Burners, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to torches for burning stumps, weeds, and thelike.

The object of the invention is to provide portable apparatus ofrelatively simple, light and inexpensive construction that is adapted togenerate a flame of remarkable length and magnitude, and of great heatintensity with a consequent destructive power that may be readilydirected and applied for the purpose of consuming or initiating thecombustion of stum s, or which may be freely and easily manipulated toconsume or destroy weeds and brush over large areas of waste land, andfor other similar purposes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a torch of novelconstruction and organization utilizing the heavier and cheaperhydrocarbon oils whereby an intensely hot flame is produced, togetherwith means to develop and extend said flame by means of an air-blast toeffectually increase the destructiveness and area covered by the flame,or to make it more potent in close application to the object to beburnt.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of improvedmeans to fpro-heat and supplyan adequate quantity 0 air under pressureto the burner andto said blastpipe.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide simple and novelmeans to preheat and feed the oil to the burner in a most suitablecondition to support combustion.

It is the province of my invention to improve generally and to promotethe utility of the class of apparatus to which the invention appertainsand further objects and advantages residing therein will beclearlydisclosed in the after given. a

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is aview in side elevation ofburning apparatus embodying my invention etailed description herein Fig.2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section of said apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scaleof the apparatusremoved from its carriage. shownpartly in side elevation and partly invertical section.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus similar to Fig. l with theupper portion of the sectional torch-casing removed.

Fig. 6 is a pictorial view, partly in section, illustrating my improvedprocess of lnn'ning stumps, the apparatus being shown in side elevationin process of burning a cavity in the side of a stump. while anothercavity is shown filled with combustible material and covered to confinethe combustion.

Referring to said views, wherein similar characters of referenceindicate like parts in the several views. the reference numerals 10 and11 indicate substantially parallel frame-members rigidly connected inspaced relation. An inverted U-shaped yoke 12 is fixedly connectedtransversely of the frame adjacent its middle portion and is formed orprovided medially at its upper side with a horizontally directed,flat-topped plate 13 having a fixed screw-threaded post 14 in itscenter.

The rear end of the frame is provided with handlebar 15 with which theburning apparatus may be manipulated or secured to the rear end of anautomobile truck, not shown, for locomotion on occasions to be hereaftermore fully described. Legs 16 are pivotally mounted at 17 and areadapted to be folded parallel with the frame-members 10 and 11 as shownin full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, or utilized in their operative positionsas shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. Said legs are provided with a brace18 engageable with a pin 19 when the legs are lowered in operativeposition.

A carriage is provided for said frame consisting in an invertedsubstantially U-' shaped beam 20 having spindles 21 at the lower end ofeach of its legs upon which wheels 22 are rotatably mounted. The upper,intermediate ortion of said beam is provided with rigi centrallyapertured plate 23 with a plane under face arranged to bear against saidplate 13 when juxtaposed to provide a swinging bearing for the frameupon the carriage. A screw-threaded nut 24 is associated with said post14 above said beam having extended handles whereby the frame may beraised or lowered with respect to the carriage. V

A water-tank 30 is secured approximately midway of the frame betweensaid members and to the rearward thereof an oilsupply container 31 ismounted having a filling-opening at its top closable by a screw-cap 32.Slung below said tank 30 in rigidposition, as b straps 33, is anairreservoir 34 adapte to receive compressed air from a suitableair-compressor, not shown, through an inlet ipe 35 leading to a cross-T36 and pipe 3 Said air compressor may be positioned upon 'anautomobiletruck at a convenient distance and isconnected communicably to said pipe35 by a flexible hose 35. A check-valve 38 admitting air under pressureinto said reservoir and closable under contrary pressure is interposedin said pipe 35, and a pressure-gauge 39 is connected to the fitting 36'to indicate the active pressure in the reservoir and immediateconnections.

Rigidly mounted between the forward ends of said frame-members is atorch-casing 40 comprised of two half-sections having horizontallydisposed side flanges 41 through which the sections are detachablyconnected together by bolts 42, or the like. The lower of said sectionsis connected to the frame-members and the uppersection is readilyremovable for repairs within the chamber 43 interiorly thereof or forthe replacement of the upper section which sustains a greatertemperature than the lower section. Said casing is desirably made ofcast-iron and is formed with a tapered for ward end terminating in an oening 44. The rear end of said casing is c osed by a cast wall 45 or maybe made in two parts of semi-circular configuration integral with saidhalf-sections, as will be readily understood. Hand-size openings 47 forthe admission of air within the chamber 43 to support combustion thereinare formed in said wall 45 and dam ers 48 are provided to control theinlet of air.

The water-tank 30 is maintained substantially filled with water throughan open fillingtube 50 into which a funnel, not

, shown, may be inserted. Steam generated in the tank may esca e at anydesired tension through a suita le relief-valve, indicated at 5 1. 52designates a pi e-coil communicating at its opposite en s with the upperand lower portions of said tank, respectively, and extends in itsintermediate portion through the wall 45 of the to'the tank willmaintain the water therein at a high temperature.

ir in compressed storage in said reservoir or received from saidcompressor is conveyed through pipe 55 to within the to o theoil-container 31 as controlled by va ve 56. The oil is conducted fromthe container under desired ressure through pipe 57 extended, asindicated at 58, through the hot-water tank 30 where the temperature ofthe oil is raised by conduction from said water to a suitable de cc andthence continues by pipe connections 59 and 60 to an atomizer 61 whereinthe oil is atomized by heated com ressed air, as will be more fullydescribe and thence passes in a finely divided state through a mixeripe62 to a burner-tip 63 in the Vertica plane with the longitudinal axis ofthe casing 40 from whence it escapes in a highly combustible mixtureinto the combustion-chamber 43 where it is ignited. Cut-ofi valves 65and 66 are interposed in said pipes 59 and 60, respectively.

Numeral 67 designates a pipe communicating with the interior of theair-reservoir 34 and extending into the chamber 43 in somewhat similarmanner to the pipe 52 and upon substantially parallel linestherewitlrupon the opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the casing40, making a return bend 68 and connected by pipe 69 with the atomizer61 delivering air heated in the combustion-chamber under pressure to theatomizer and therein mixing with the oil and causing a fine divisionthereof in the mixer-pipe 62. Said atomizer and humertip may be of anysuitable t pe or design, and may be readily obtainable in the openmarket. A valve 70 is placed in pipe 69 to control the supply of an tothe atomizer.

At the point of connection between ipes 67 and 69 I position a T-fitting71 a ording communication with a pipe 72 havin a valve 73 therein whichconve s heate air under pressure to a blast-tube 5 extending through thewall 45 and to near the forward end ofthe chamber 43 in approximatelythe longitudinal axis of the casing Where it terminates in a nozzle 76having a relatively small adjustable orifice whence a stream ofpre-heated air is directed toward the opening 44 and into the flamegenerated by the combustion of oil from the burner-tip 63.

For convenience in startin when the apparatus is cold combustion providean auxiliary oil-container 77 to contain kerosene or other light,readily inflammable oil, which is conveyed by pipe 78 having a con-'trol-valve 79 into the pipe 60 and is thereby conducted to the burner.

The operation of my burning apparatus will be readily understood fromthe foregoing description taken with the drawings. After combustion isinduced in the chamber 43 by means of the lighter oil from the tank 77,if the apparatus be cold, the proper valves are opened upon the oil-linefrom the container 31 to the burner-tip to support the desired flame,and in similar fashion. the air-supply from the reservoir 34 iscontrolled to properly atomize the. oil and furnish a part of the oxygento maintain combustion. Said air being superheated by previously passingthrough the pipe 67'within the combustion-chamber, expels from theburner-tip with the accompanying oil with considerable force and.combinesfiwith the air entering the chamber through the openings 47being most thoroughly consumed within the combustion-chamber forwardlyof said tip and is emitted in an intensely hot flame from the opening44.

The high temperature maintained within the combustion-chamber 43 iscommunicated to the pipe coil 52 to vheat and circulate water to andfrom the tank 30 and which in turn serves to' pre-heat the oil fed tothe burner-tip from pipe 58 so that the heaviest'and cheapesthydrocarbon oils may be used. Similarly, the air conducted from thereservoir 34 to the burner-tip passes through the pipe 67 within thechamber 43 where it is intensely heated and thus served to theburner-tip and to the blastpipe 75.

Under some conditions and for certain purposes a sufficient flame andtemperature may be created Without the employment of the air-iet fromthe nozzle 76, but Where a long ame is desired or where the flame is tobe applied to an object with force and intensive effect the air isemitted from said nozzle into the flame at a point between theburner-tip and the opening 44 to give the maximum effect and is directedtowards said opening affording more rapid, complete combustion andbrushing out into a lengthened and consumin flame the jet as it issuesfrom said tip which willv effectually cover a long range from saidopening ex tending at times to ten or more feet thus rendering theapparatus much more useful for burning weeds covering and sweeping awide area. Upon close application to a more solid object to be burnt,such as a stump, said air-blast will cause the flame to strike thereuponwith a strong impact and by rapidly blowing away the sparks and otherproducts of combustion from the point of application will cause thestump to be much more quickly destroyed or penetrated than otherwise.

The provision of the carriage having the U-shaped beam 20 mounted forlocomotion on its wheels and supporting the yoke 12 for side-swingingand tilting movements admits of much flexibility of action in directingthe torch-casing 40 to apply the flames emitted therefrom to thevarioususes for which it is adapted. Said frame may be swung through arelatively wide are between the wheels without shiftingthe latter,aswill be seen diagrammatically in broken lines in Fig. 2. Also theprovision of the bearing plates upon the beam 20 and yoke 12 afliord areliable support for the swinging movements under ordinaryconditions,'and the whole frame may be lowered relative to the carriageby unscrewing the nut 24 upon the post 14 so that the torch may be usedin close application to the ground, as illustrated in Fig. 6. V

Stumps may be readily destroyed by the use of my improved burner torchby first digging away the earth from about a side of the stump, as shownin Fig. 6, and applying the opening 44 of the torch to within a shortdistance therefrom. at the base of the stump. With the flame andair-blast in active operation and in close application to the stump itwill be penetrated for a considerable depth in a short time, the forceof the flame assisting materially in the destructive action by blowingaway the cinders and sparks of unconsumed wood as well as the gaseousproduct of combustion and drying and heating the earth piled about thestump for a considerable distance. When the forceful, induce-dcombustion thus directed forms a glowing pocket 80 of sufficient depth Ifill it with fuel of active combustible properties, such as pitch-woodor charcoal, indicated at 81, and after thorough ignition I cover thepocket and lower part of the stump previously uncovered with the heatedearth in the vicinity, as indicated'at 82, with the result thatcombustion will continue therein indefinitely, oftentimes eating intothe stump and its roots until it is entirely consumed.

Another application of the invention is in clearing land of weeds .toprevent the spreading of weed-seeds, as on railway right-of-ways, citylots and parkings strips. The apparatus is attached to the rear of anautomobile truck, not shown, upon which the air-compressor abovereferred to may be mounted. The apparatus may be attached with theopening 44 directed rearwardly and at an angle to the path of progressof the truck and carriage of the apparatus whereby the flames may besprayed over the ground at the desired elevation covering a pathparallel and lateral to that of the vehicle. V

, terminating in an atomizing burner, means to supply air under'pressurewithin said container, and means to supply pre-heated air under pressureto said burner, consisting in a reservoir adapted to receive air 7,under pressure, andapipe-coil communicating with said reservoirextending into said torch-chamber and thence connected to said burner.

2. Apparatus of the class described, consisting in combination with aframe, of a chambered torch-casing rigidly mounted on an end of saidframe, an oil container carried upon said frame, a pipe-line extendingfrom said container to said torch terminating in' an atomizing burner,means to supply air under pressure within said container, means tosupply pre-heated air under pressure to said burner, and means to heatsaid oil in its passage to the burner, consisting in a water-filled tankthrough which said pipe-line extends. and a water-coil communicatingwithsaid tank extending into said torch-casing and establishing a water-circulation includingv said tank.

3. Apparatus of the class described, con sisting in combination with aframe, of a chambered casing rigidly mounted on an end of said framehaving a tapered open end, anoil container carried on said frame, apipe-line extending from said container to said chamber terminating inan atomiz' ing burner, means to supply air under pres sure within saidcontainer, a pipe-coil 'receiving air-pressure from a source ofcompressed air supply extending into said chamber and thence connectedto said burner, and a blast-pipe communicating with said air-pipe coilterminating in a nozzle within said chamber directed towardssaid openend of the casing forwardly of said burner.

4. Apparatus of the class described, consisting in combination with aframe, of a chambered torch casing rigidly mounted on an end. of saidframe havin a tapered open end, an oil container carried on said frame,a pipe-line extending from said container to said ch'amber'terminatingin an atomizing burner, a reservoir adapted to receive" air underpressure, means to supply compressed air to said reservoir, means tosupply air pressure from said reservoir within said container, awater-filled tank through which said pipe-line conveying oil to theburner; extends, a water-coil com- ,municating with said tank andextending into said chamber establishing a hot-water circulationincluding said tank, a pipe-coil communicating with said reservoirextending into said chamber and thence communicatively connected to saidburner, and a blast-pipe communicating with said airpipe coilterminating in a nozzle within said chamber directed towards said openend of the casing forwardly of the burner.

5. Apparatus of the class described, consisting in a portably supportedframe, a torch-casing r1 idly mounted on said frame having a cylindricalchambered body and a tapered forward open end, an oil containermountedon said frame, an oil-burner projecting into said chamber,communicating oil-supply connections between said container and saidburner, and an air-supply pipe extending from a source of air supplyunder pressure into said chamber forwardly of the burner and thenceconnected to said burner.

6. Apparatus of the class described, consisting in a portably supportedframe, a torch-casing rigidly mounted on said frame having a chamberedbody and a tapered forward open end, an oil container mounted on saidframe, an oil-burner projecting into said chamber, communicatinoil-supply connections between said container and said burner, a pipeextending from a source of air-supply under pressure into said chamberforwardly of said burner and thence connected to said burner, and anair-blast pipe receiving air from said air-supply pipe having an outletnozzle directed toward said opening in the casing between said burnerand said openin 7. Apparatus of the class described, consisting in a.portably supported frame, a torch-casing rigidly mounted on said framehaving an interior chamber with a forward open end, an oil containermounted on said frame, an oil-burner projecting into said chamber,communicating oil-supply connections between said container and saidburner, means to pre-heat the oil-supply to said burner, a pipeextending from a source of air-supply under pressure into said chamberforwardly of said burner and thence conne'ctedto said burner, and anair-blast pipe receiving air from said air-supply pipe having an outletnozzle directed toward said opening in said casing between said burnerand said opening.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a torch-casing having aninterior chamber, said chamber having a tapered opening at one end and-adamper-ed opening at its other end, an oil atomizer and burner extendinginto said chamber directed towards said first named opening. and anair-blast pi e having a nozzle within said chamber irected towards saidfirst named opening forwardly ofsaid burner.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a

torch-casing having an open forward end, an oil-burner extending intosaid casing direeted toward said opening, an air-supply pipe extendingfrom a source of air supgly I under pressure into said casing forwar 1yof the burner and thence connected to the burner, and an air-blast pipereceiving preheated air from said air-supply pipe having

